Why India’s concussion substitute in 4th T20I against England led to controversy over ICC’s like-for-like rule?

Incident Overview

The fourth T20I between India and England became a centre of debate as India’s use of concussion substitute raised many questions. On the fifth ball of the final over of India’s innings, Shivam Dube was struck on the helmet by Jamie Overton’s bouncer. The all-rounder did not take the field as India came out to bowl and Harshit Rana was named as his concussion substitute. 

Concussion substitute rules and England’s objection

For the unversed, according to concussion substitute rules, a player who replaces another should be a like-to-like replacement. In Dube’s case, as he is a batting all-rounder, another cricketer with the same role should have taken the field, ideally Ramndeep Singh.

As Harshit’s involvement proved to be the deciding factor and India won the match by 15 runs on the back of his 3/33, England cricketer and former cricketers cried foul. 

Also Check: IND vs ENG Scorecard, 4th T20I

What ICC’s Clause 1.2.7.3 states:

Clause 1.2.7.3 states that "The ICC Match Referee should ordinarily approve a Concussion Replacement Request if the replacement is a like-for-like player whose inclusion will not excessively advantage his/her team for the remainder of the match."

India’s strategic use of Clause 1.2.7.4:

But the Indian team decided to use one loophole in the clause to their advantage and that was ICC’s Clause 1.2.7.4. 

What ICC’s Clause 1.2.7.4 states:

Clause 1.2.7.4 of the ICC's T20I Playing Conditions states, "In assessing whether the nominated Concussion Replacement should be considered a like-for-like player, the ICC Match Referee should consider the likely role the concussed player would have played during the remainder of the match and the normal role that would be performed by the nominated Concussion Replacement."

What it boils down to?

Dube, who was a pace bowling option for India in the second half, did not take the field to fulfil his designated role. Hence, the hosts replaced his role with another player, Harshit Rana, who acted as India’s substitute pace bowling option in the absence of Dube.